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What’s Toxic and What’s Safe for My Pets?

May 14, 2019

Learn which indoor plants may be toxic to your pets.

During spring and summer months, seasonal indoor plants become staple additions to homes across the nation. From hardy spider plants and palms to decorative flowers, succulents and cacti – there are so many species, colors and textures to choose from. But what if you have pets? Unfortunately, many houseplants are actually toxic to dogs and cats when ingested, and curiosity is hard to control when your pet likes to climb, dig, and chew! Continue reading to learn what indoor plants are safe and which ones pet owners should avoid.

Plants and Pets

For cat owners, staying on the careful side when buying indoor plants is crucial to keeping your furry friends healthy. Cats don’t have the ability to digest many plants properly, unlike humans. Here are some common plants toxic to cats.

Plants Toxic to Cats

Aloe Vera

Autumn Crocus

Azalea

Bird of Paradise

Crocosmia

Daffodil

Daisy

Chrysanthemum

Dracaena

Elephant Ears

Euphorbia

Fern Palm

Fig

Foxglove

Geranium

Holly

Horse Chestnut

Hyacinth

Iris

Ivy

Jade

Kalanchoe

Lavender

Lemon

Lily

Mint

Mum

Nightshade

Oleander

Oregano

Parsley

Poinsettia

Primrose

Sago Palm

Shatavari

Snake Plant

John’s Wort

Tulip

Yucca Cane

Keep in mind this is in no way the full list of all plants considered potentially toxic to cats. When shopping for indoor plants, be sure to first double-check the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants List, which is an online database that lists the names, photos, and descriptions of various plants and whether or not they are toxic to cats, dogs, or horses.

Dogs’ digestive systems, on the other hand, are a bit more forgiving; however, they are still very sensitive to specific plant types. Here’s a list of common plants toxic to dogs.

Plants Toxic to Dogs

Aloe Vera

Autumn Crocus

Azalea

Bird of Paradise

Chamomile

Cyclamen

Daffodil

Dieffenbachia

Elephant Ears

English Ivy

Eucalyptus

Fig

Foxglove

Gardenia

Geranium

Holly

Jade

Kalanchoe

Lavender

Mint

Nightshade

Oleander

Peace Lily

Panda Plant

Poinsettia

Primrose

Sago Palm

Shatavari

Snake Plant

John’s Wort

Tulip

Yucca

Symptoms of Toxicity

There are many symptoms of toxicity that may occur if your pet has ingested potentially toxic plant material that can vary from vomiting or mild gastrointestinal upset to more life-threatening symptoms. Here are some common symptoms of possible pet poisoning.

Plants Considered Safe for Pets

Now that you know what plants to avoid, here are some popular indoor plants that are considered safe around cats and dogs, according to the ASPCA.

Bamboo Palm

Boston Fern

Blue Echeveria

Ghost Plant

Majesty Palm

Orchid

Parlor Palm

Ponytail Palm

Prayer Plant

Sedum

Spider Plant

Zebra Haworthia

Note: For other types of pets, always check with your veterinarian first before introducing a new indoor plant to your home.

How to Maintain Pet Health

In addition to avoiding growing toxic plants around pets, you can help maintain your pet’s health with a well-balanced diet, regular exercise, and nutritional pet supplements. Brands like Pet Wellbeing and PetAlive offer products made with all-natural ingredients from plants and herbs formulated for targeted pet health needs for dogs and cats of all ages.

About Leslie Benson

A Midwest-raised journalist living in Nashville, Tennessee, Leslie is an organic food and natural health advocate. When she’s not at the local farmers’ market, you can find her writing songs and snuggling with her pets. Blog: LeslieIreneBenson.com | Twitter @Leslie_Benson